Silchar: The Barak Democratic Front (BDF) on Friday launched a sharp attack on the BJP, calling its repeated promises to deport illegal immigrants “ridiculous” and politically motivated ahead of elections in Assam.

The criticism comes in response to recent remarks by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who said that granting the BJP another five years in power would ensure the deportation of all infiltrators from the state.

Addressing the media, BDF Chief Convener Pradip Dutta Roy questioned the credibility of such claims, pointing out that the issue of illegal immigration has remained unresolved for decades despite being central to the Assam Movement. He noted that the Assam Accord was signed to address the problem, yet successive governments have failed to deliver meaningful results.

Dutta Roy highlighted that the Asom Gana Parishad, which emerged from the movement, governed the state for ten years but reportedly deported only seven illegal immigrants during its tenure. He added that both Congress and BJP governments have also fallen short on the issue, despite having dedicated ministries to implement the Accord.

He further alleged that around Rs.1600 crore spent on updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) has not yielded results, claiming that the process was stalled once it became clear that only a limited number of infiltrators would be identified. According to him, the issue has been deliberately kept unresolved for electoral gains.

The BDF leader also criticized the Centre, stating that border security falls under the Home Ministry, which has been led by Amit Shah for the past decade. “The same promises are being repeated without accountability,” he said.

Raising concerns over what he termed “divisive politics,” Dutta Roy alleged that sections of the Muslim community, particularly “Miya Muslims,” are being targeted through political narratives. He pointed out an apparent contradiction, claiming that candidates from the same community have been fielded in minority-dominated constituencies by BJP’s ally, the Asom Gana Parishad.

Emphasizing development issues, he said the real challenges facing the region include unemployment, rising prices, poor infrastructure, and recurring floods. “No community is the enemy. Underdevelopment is,” he remarked, urging voters to reject religious polarization.

BDF Media Cell Convener Joydeep Bhattacharjee raised concerns over the impact of delimitation, alleging that two Assembly constituencies in the Barak Valley were removed during the previous government, thereby weakening the region’s political representation.

He also criticized the lack of progress on flood management projects following the devastating 2022 floods. According to him, promises to improve waterways, embankments, and sluice gates remain largely unfulfilled. He further pointed to a highway project pending for over 25 years, questioning the feasibility of newly announced infrastructure projects when earlier ones remain incomplete.

On connectivity, Bhattacharjee noted that while a Multi-Modal Logistics Park at Jogighopa is nearing completion, there is no clear plan for a similar project in Silchar, despite earlier assurances.

BDF Convener Hrishikesh Dey echoed similar concerns, stating that the proposed Greenfield Airport project has stalled due to lack of planning and political will. He also flagged the absence of long-term measures for flood control and the neglect of key sectors like agriculture and the tea industry in the Barak Valley.

Calling unemployment the most pressing issue, Dey urged voters to prioritize candidates who focus on tangible development goals rather than “rhetoric and division.”

The BDF appealed to the electorate to vote based on issues affecting daily life and livelihoods, warning against being swayed by what it described as “recycled political promises.”